On Tue., June 24, WELS Committee on Relief Chairman, Pastor Philip Schupmann, together with Pastor Mark Lindner and Steve Zambo traveled to Baraboo, Wis., and met with a number of pastors and WELS members from eight area congregations. We heard about the flood’s devastating effects on the lives of many of our fellow Christians, their neighbors, and their communities. At the same time we also rejoiced with them to hear how our merciful Lord God had also watched over them and their families. Thankfully, there has been no loss of human life. One of our churches in Elroy, Wis., has some major flood damage in its basement with the possible loss of its handicapped-accessible elevator. Several of our WELS members have suffered the total loss of their homes. In cities like Reedsburg and Rock Springs, many homes and businesses have been totally destroyed. People have been displaced and suffered the loss of their material blessings. Yet in all that bad news we heard one sweet little Christian lady in attendance tell us how the Lord watched over her as emergency personnel in Wisconsin Dells “Ducks” came to her rescue and brought her to safety as her home in the country was surrounded on both sides by rising waters.Pastors Schupmann and Lindner together with Mr. Zambo also made stops in Columbus, Jefferson, and Fort Atkinson, Wis., where they heard again about the floods effects on lives and property. We witnessed firsthand how the City of Jefferson has been split in two because of its main bridge through town closed and still covered with flood waters. Once again we also heard how the Savior protected his people and gave them opportunities to reflect his love in words and actions to the people in their community. Zion in Columbus opened the doors of their school as a Red Cross emergency shelter. Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson opened their doors to a local nursing home which had to be evacuated. Most of the residents of that facility and staff called Bethany “home” for almost a week.

The Committee of Relief was able to give grants totaling almost $100,000 to all these congregations, which will be used to help, not only their members, but those people in need around them in their communities. Maybe most importantly most of the congregations affected have been personally visited by WELS Relief team and received the assurance that a gracious God is with them and that the brothers and sisters in WELS are praying for them and will support them in their time of need. As always, whenever the Lord allows such adversities to touch our live and the lives of those outside the family of God, such adversities become “teachable moments” – golden opportunities to share the life giving Gospel with others.

View more pictures of the flood-damaged area of Jefferson, Wis., in the photo gallery.

• A WELS assessment team departs for the area hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. WELS President Karl Gurgel and Media Communications Director Steve Zambo will join Pastor Phil Schupmann from WELS Committee on Relief, Mr. Ed Nelson from Builders for Christ, and Pastor Richard Warnecke from WELS Kingdom Workers Faith in Action.
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September 7, 2005

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September 8, 2005

• Early morning audio report